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2025 ICD-10-CM code Q71.60

Lobster-claw hand, unspecified hand. This is a congenital condition characterized by a deep cleft or separation in the hand, resembling a lobster's claw.

Use Q71.60 when the documentation does not clearly specify the laterality (right or left). If the laterality is specified, use Q71.61 for the right hand, Q71.62 for the left hand, or Q71.63 for bilateral involvement.

Medical necessity for services related to lobster-claw hand may include diagnostic evaluation, genetic counseling, surgical intervention to improve hand function, or therapy to address developmental delays.

Diagnosis and documentation of this condition are typically the responsibility of a medical geneticist, orthopedist, or other specialist familiar with congenital hand anomalies. They may conduct physical examination, genetic testing, and imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis.

In simple words: Lobster-claw hand is a birth defect where the hand has a split or separation, looking like a lobster's claw. This code refers to this condition when the affected hand (right or left) is not specified.

Lobster-claw hand, unspecified hand.This condition involves a cleft or separation in the hand, typically between the middle and ring fingers, giving the hand a claw-like appearance. The specific hand affected is not specified in this code.

Example 1: A newborn infant is examined and found to have a cleft hand resembling a lobster claw, but the documentation does not specify whether it's the right or left hand. The appropriate code is Q71.60., A child presents with a split hand, affecting the functionality.Further examination reveals a lobster-claw deformity. Since the laterality is not specified in the clinical documentation, Q71.60 is used for coding., During a routine check-up, a pediatrician observes a characteristic cleft in a child's hand. Imaging confirms the lobster-claw malformation.If the healthcare provider's notes do not indicate which hand is affected, Q71.60 is the correct code.

Documentation should clearly describe the physical characteristics of the hand, including the location and extent of the cleft.Imaging studies (X-rays, etc.) may be included to support the diagnosis. Any functional limitations or associated conditions should also be noted.

** This condition may be associated with other genetic syndromes, and further evaluation may be needed to rule out other anomalies.Genetic counseling may be beneficial for families with a history of lobster-claw hand.

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